Karl looking for a change of fortune

Published:07:30Friday 14 October 2011

ELLAND coach Karl Fairbank takes his side to Chevinedge to face Siddal tomorrow looking to bounce back from last weekend’s loss at Saddleworth.

The visitors were held scoreless in Lancashire as the home side eased to victory, while they also drew a blank in their first meeting with Siddal three weeks ago, the Premier Division outfit running up a 70-0 scoreline.

That game will be remembered for the absence of the entire Fairbank family – one coach and six potential first team players – at a family wedding, a complication Elland will not have to cope with tomorrow.

“I’m hoping to have a stronger side, and we want a performance with a bit of pride and enthusiasm in it,” said Fairbank.

“We are hopeful we can put on a better effort.

“Almost anything would be an improvement on last weekend.”

Elland should welcome back full back Dean Avis and stand off Chyle Fisher, although Fisher’s half back partner Phil Taylor could be missing through family commitments.

Miles Fairbank is sidelined, probably for the season, after suffering a hamstring injury, while another hamstring victim, the prop Marc Shickell, could return to action.

Front rower James Fairbank, unavailable through work commitments against Saddleworth, will definitely return.

Siddal coach Lee Greenwood will again look to promote some of the club’s young talent, with half back or full back Tom Shaw expected to win a place on the bench and goal-kicking threequarter Ahjay Hussain also in contention.

Greenwood will also have some experience back on board in the shape of full back Scott Caley, hooker Craig Sanderson and loose forward Luke Simeunovich.

“The club’s putting out three teams again this weekend, so we’ll basically go as strong as we can while still trying to give some of the young lads a chance,” said Greenwood.